Showing part of a string

[pjb007]

Using PHP/MySQL database

So far this is the code

<?php echo substr($row_rsNews['newsArea'], 0, 150);  ?>.....<a href="news_item.php?newsId=<?php echo $row_rsNews['newsId']; ?>" >(more)</a> <br /><br />

That shows the first 150 characters, any way of changing that to show the first 22 words.

[Bbro]

You could split the text into words identified by spaces and fill an array with individual words.

Use
$textArray = preg_split ('/ /', $YourString);

Then you can manipulate the array with array functions.
For example

//Number of words in chunk of text
$show = 22;

//Extract chunk from array into an array
$chunk = array_slice ($textArray, 0, $show);

//Convert array into string
$chunk = implode($chunk,' ');

[pjb007]

Thanks for your reply!

I'm a newbie to PHP

I assume that these are the three lines I need?

<?php
//Number of words in chunk of text
$show = 22;
 
//Extract chunk from array into an array
$chunk = array_slice ($textArray, 0, $show);
 
//Convert array into string
$chunk = implode($chunk,' ');
 
?>

With $textArray being the in the database I want to cut down.

In my case $row_rsNewsItems['newsBody']

I have tried that and it won't work I guess I got it wrong.

[PeejAvery]

I assume that these are the three lines I need?
...
I have tried that and it won't work I guess I got it wrong.

That is because those aren't the three lines. You forgot the first one.

Personally, I wouldn't use preg functions for this.

<?php
$txt = "This is simply a test to show you how to chop off some words.";
$edited = explode(" ", "", $txt);
$words = 10;
$edited = array_slice($edited, 0, $words);
$edited = implode(" ", $edited);
?>

[Bbro]

I have tried that and it won't work I guess I got it wrong.[/QUOTE]

You first need to convert the block of text you are cutting down into an array using
$textArray = preg_split ('/ /', $YourString);
where I have called your block of text $YourString .
So you need
$textArray = preg_split ('/ /', $row_rsNewsItems['newsBody'] );

You may need to wrap your result set in curly braces
$textArray = preg_split ('/ /', {$row_rsNewsItems['newsBody'] });

The first parameter in the preg_split function is the regular expression to identify where you want the string to split. I have used a space here because I am assuming you have seperated your words by a space. The backslashes simply escape the quotes.

If the text in question is only simple text with no regular expressions, then use explode instead of preg_split

$textArray = explode ( " ", {$row_rsNewsItems['newsBody'] });

Then the three lines you quoted
Good Luck

[pjb007]

Thanks for your replies but I just don't understand how to put it in to my code. I tried both above and can't get them to work.

I better leave it to removeing characters, I don't like it but it works.

[PeejAvery]

Just put the following in place the code you have in your first post.

<?php
$txt = $row_rsNews['newsArea'];
$edited = explode(" ", "", $txt);
$words = 10;
$edited = array_slice($edited, 0, $words);
$edited = implode(" ", $edited);
?>

<?php echo $edited;  ?>.....<a href="news_item.php?newsId=<?php echo $row_rsNews['newsId']; ?>">(more)</a><br><br>

[pjb007]

Thanks.

It won't work, all I get is the ..... (more) link (goes to 404 error)

My guess is I copyed the table rows down incorrectly before.


I got somthing a while back so I'm on the right tracks now.

[pjb007]

Can I ask what the 0 does in that bit of code.

Should the 10 show 10 words?

Oh the 404 error problem is fixed!

[PeejAvery]

You are correct. The problem lies somewhere in your reading of the database. Keep up updated.

[pjb007]

Here is what I should have put

<?php echo substr($row_rsNewsItems['newsBody'], 0, 150); ?>.....<a href="news_detail.php?newsId=<?php echo $row_rsNewsItems['newsId']; ?>" title="View: <?php echo $row_rsNewsItems['newsTitle']; ?>">(more)</a>

So using that I got this, and can't see whats wrong, been a long hot day bet its somthing really stupid I've done.

<?php 
$txt = $row_rsNewsItems['newsBody']; 
$edited = explode(" ", "", $txt); 
$words = 10; 
$edited = array_slice($edited, 0, $words); 
$edited = implode(" ", $edited); 
?> 
<?php echo $edited; ?>.....<a href="news_detail.php?newsId=<?php echo $row_rsNewsItems['newsId']; ?>">(more)</a><br><br>

[PeejAvery]

Okay, we are working with too small of code snippets. Can you just post the whole code for this new feed?

[Dr. Script]

Okay, we are working with too small of code snippets. Can you just post the whole code for this new feed?

Isn't the explode function just 2 arguments? explode(" ", $txt); I think you might be thinking of something like str_replace, which takes 3 parameters.

Instead of: explode(" ", "", $txt)
It should be: explode(" ", $txt)

I think

[PeejAvery]

Instead of: explode(" ", "", $txt)
It should be: explode(" ", $txt)

I think

HAHAHAHAHA! I can't believe I used the command line for str_replace. Thanks Dr. Script. HAHAHAHAHA!

[pjb007]

It's working!

Thanks all for your help!